"multiple perspectives," the term "cultural analysis"
is a convenient term to identify a common form of critical thinking.
As soon as we begin to ask whether we should continue to accept
a certain perspective, then we begin to compare and contrast that
belief with other options. This critical thinking about different
perspectives that exist within the same time period has been termed
"cultural analysis" in the RLC 110-111 curriculum. A
cultural analysis of 17th century perspectives on the universe
can be drawn as
Even if the term "cultural analysis" is not mentioned,
many college courses require students to think critically about
different perspectives from one time period. For example, the
study of physics has many examples of competing beliefs, such
as about the center of the universe and the nature of light, that
have existed during the same era. In literature, many classic
texts have been interpreted in different ways during one period,
and students must weigh those different interpretations.
For two examples of cultural analysis, go to an excerpt
from a student's RLC 110 paper and a related
assignment from another department.